The Kia Rio is offered in a stylish sedan or 5-door hatchback configuration. It features high standards not traditionally found in a small car. A sporty personality, impressive fuel economy, and high level of safety take priority in its design.

The Rio is offered in LX, S and EX trim levels. Power comes from a 130-hp 1.6-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) four-cylinder engine. Depending on trim level, either a six-speed manual transmission, or a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode is offered. Available unique features include a push button ignition, power mirrors, heated seats, idle stop and go (ISG), rearview camera, UVO audio infotainment system, navigation, heated steering wheel, power sunroof, projection headlights, and LED taillights. Standard safety features include six airbags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control with brake and hill start assist, and traction control.

The Kia Rio has been redesigned for 2018.

Introduction

Redesigned for 2018, the Kia Rio subcompact sedan and hatchback show numerous improvements over the outgoing model.All-new and beginning its fourth generation, the 2018 Rio is slightly lower and wider than before.

The 2018 Rio comes with a new 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 130 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque, slightly less than previously, but improved drivability is promised.As before, Rio is front-wheel drive.

Autonomous emergency braking is available.UVO3 infotainment has been upgraded with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are available.

The four-door sedans and five-door hatchbacks each come in LX, S, or EX trim level.Aside from selecting the desired trim and body color, buyers have little choice, since no options are offered.

Hatchbacks benefit most from the new look for 2018, but they're handily outsold by sedans.The new sedan's proportions appear less frumpy.

EX trim level comes not only with emergency braking, but all-disc brakes (instead of rear drums) and better-quality seats.

Otherwise, Kia hasn't given its entry-level duo much in the way of up-to-date safety equipment.Despite the fact that rearview cameras will soon be mandatory, it's standard only on S and EX models.Blind-spot monitoring isn't offered at all, despite the Rio's obtrusively thick rear pillars (especially on hatchbacks).

A Launch Edition package ($500) includes leather inserts in the seats.

Walkaround

Conservative in styling, yet sleeker than its predecessor, the 2018 Kia Rio shows cleaner body lines than its rather dowdy predecessor, especially in hatchback form.Sheetmetal creases are sharper.Front ends are a little taller than before, wearing a more upright tiger nose grille.

Foglamps have moved outward, making the Rio look wider.Windshield pillars are more upright.Dimensions have increased, but only slightly.

On both body styles, designers opened up the lower front bumper, resulting in a more expressive face.Headlights sit higher, reaching further back into the front fenders.Wheels have been pushed out toward the corners, shrinking the previously-excessive overhangs.Hatchback rear ends, in particular, look the best, avoiding the sedan's blanked-out rear quarter window.

Interior

Quiet and comfortable for adults, the Rio's cabin is significantly improved.According to the EPA, the Rio again qualifies as a compact car, in terms of interior space.Cabin details also suggest a move upward in class.

Improved quietness results from greater use of adhesives in the chassis, according to Kia, helping to subdue road and tire sounds.

Back seats are surprisingly spacious as well as comfortable.Even taller adults can typically sit behind another adult without feeling too cramped.Two passengers fit best, but for shorter trips, three teenagers aren't likely to complain about squeezing.

Sitting relatively low and more upright than before, the Rio dashboard contains a thoughtfully-considered central touchscreen.In EX models, the 7.0-inch touchscreen works with UVO3, the latest version of Kia's slick-operating infotainment system.Prompt responses and natural swiping action mean UVO3 outperforms several competitors.

Driving Impression

Compared to the outgoing Rio, the 2018 versions are a lot more livable.Despite ranking as a budget-focused car, the latest Rio performs better, with greater response at lower speeds.Power might be comparatively modest, but it's delivered in a more immediate manner.

Essentially, the Rio makes good use of its available energy, eagerly infusing a touch of spirit into road behavior.Even its sounds are pleasant ones.

Though adequate, Kia's 6-speed automatic transmission can be indecisive.Still, it does an admirable job of keeping the small engine behaving with peak efficiency.A Sport button causes the transmission to hold each gear longer, which inevitably hurts fuel economy.

Also improved is ride quality, which is impressively composed, despite use of the same basic suspension as before – which earned subpar evaluation.Revised spring and damper settings have made the suspension more compliant, able to subdue more pavement roughness.

Steering feel also has improved.So has its accuracy, though these benefits are somewhat overshadowed by unusually light weight at the steering wheel.Whether all-disc (in EX) or with rear drums, brakes feel confident, though hard stops yield some nosedive.

Regardless of transmission, the 2018 Rio is relatively fuel efficient.Equipped with automatic, the Rio is EPA-rated at 28/37 mpg City/Highway, or 32 mpg Combined.Manual-shift Rios reduce the City figure by just 1 mpg.